The preparation of about a thousand images has been completed and I now have to prepare the pages.

In light of the recent topic on cataloguing a collection I thought it might be an idea to ask you folks how to best organise these weights?

Obviously major type... so clocks, thimbles and spoons are clear. The initial pages http://www.scotlandsglass.com/ were just put together in order or contribution and special order weights are obviously best left as separate. Charlton list 2,500, I do not have a copy, but has limited images and I expect my pages will top that quickly.

Ordering by designer, maker, can be done as a separate pages re-using images. Much in the way that for the PY catalogues I also show them by type.

The function of these pages should be to help people identify their weight so, suggestions welcomed.

Until I get through this stage I do not need more submissions, catalogue scans are limited so I will be pleased to get additional images of listed designs to show variety and other angles as on some of the existing pages.

I think a reasonable way to organise a catalogue of Caithness weights is by:Designer, Type, Year

With the first sorting by Designer, it would make it so much easier to get a good feel of the types created by each designer. Where two (or more?) designers are credited, base it on the first one listed in the Charlton guide (info from somebody who has a copy, of course).

It might be actually be better to switch the order of Type / Year, but that would be become clearer as the catalogue develops.

For type, this could end up being somewhat arbitrary but I suggest it is based mainly on the primary visual motif. Obviously "Abstract" and "Millefiori" are fairly clear separations but, within each of those, choices would have to be made that best suit the look of the pages.

The original first four pages of weights will eventually be merged into the other pages, so ignore those for now. But what is the opinion of the other groupings so far? Currently only covering about 100 weights.

I have now ordered the Charlton book as I think it better to just leave spaces in the catalogue as I go.

For the time being, please limit contributions to images of weights that have been fully identified but only have one image as I am currently overloaded.

Frank, as the function is to help people identify weights, are you interested mainly in the unlimited weights that are not named on the bases, or do you want photos of the limited and named ones as well?

It is intended to be fully comprehensive and to show multiple views of each weight. Glassware too.

A lot of catalogue images are not great for identification purposes so the best is four views: side view, top view, base view (angle and showing markings), best presentation view. White background preferred. Plus any additional views like close-ups of special features, signature canes, certificates etc.